Winter brings many great things to Delaware and Pennsylvania, but an ideal moving scenario is not one of them. And while you can indeed buy a home during the winter season, it's important to note that the process can take longer than usual.
If you're on the fence about buying a home in Delaware or Pennsylvania, now is the time to get started. The Kat Geralis Home Team has decades of real estate experience to help you find your dream home before winter and enjoy the holiday season in your new surroundings.
Delaware and Pennsylvania homebuyers should be sure to take the following into consideration in their decision to buy before winter:
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates were hovering around historic lows for quite some time, but they have since seen quite a hike, with the average mortgage rate resting around seven percent. If you missed buying a home at a low rate, don't wait longer! Mortgage rates will continue to increase, with experts predicting the average 30-year mortgage rate to l ...

Did you know the majority of today’s homebuyers aren’t aware of closing costs? You may find that you have prepared for homeownership with your down payment and even have your first month’s mortgage ready in your bank account, but this very important set of costs is commonly overlooked.
As your local real estate experts in Delaware or Pennsylvania, The Kat Geralis Home Team has included a few key notes on closing costs below so you are better equipped to make the biggest, most important purchase of your life!
What Are They?
Closing costs are recurring and non-recurring fees connected to both your lender and other parties in the sale—for instance, an attorney, inspector and title company—and are to be paid upfront at the closing table. Unless you have financed them ahead of time or worked your offer to arrange for the seller to pick up the tab, unfortunately there is no way around these costs.
Closing costs typically include:
Homeowners insurance
Titlek ...

Fall is a great time to become a homeowner in Delaware and Pennsylvania! Not only is a new season just beginning, but you have the opportunity to secure a low interest rate and settle into a home before the cold weather arrives.
But what if you’re currently a renter in Delaware or Pennsylvania? Don’t worry! The Kat Geralis Home Team has provided a few ways below that you can prepare to take advantage of this exciting time in the local real estate market.
Research all of the costs
There are more costs involved with owning a home than just your monthly mortgage payment. For first time buyers, this may come as a surprise, but with the proper amount of research, you will be able to determine exactly how much you can afford in a home. Costs like property taxes, homeowners insurance, private mortgage insurance (PMI), homeowners association fees and yearly upkeep should all be considered while you begin to search for homes in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
The costs of renting vs.k ...

As we’ve mentioned in past blog posts, there are many “hidden costs” of buying a home in Delaware and Pennsylvania and that goes for moving too! It is so secret that the moving process can be overwhelming. After all, you’re on your way to settle into your dream home. It’s both exciting and new and as a result, it can be easy to overlook a few key items like fees along the way.
If you’re moving to a new home in Delaware or Pennsylvania this summer, it is important to keep an eye out for these extra fees that could pop up when changing homes. Even little things like disposing of packing materials can add up in charges.
Packing and Unpacking
If you don’t take the time to carefully package each item or piece of furniture, you could risk damaging them in your move. However, some new homeowners just do not have the time to dedicate to this task. It’s understandable, but know that it can cost you!
Some moving companies will pack for you and k ...

Fall is coming fast! Compared to summer, the upcoming season can still be a busy time for homebuying in Delaware and Pennsylvania and with more sellers confident in listing their homes, it's important to keep the real estate rules of the road in mind. Below are just a few real estate rules to remember, like using an experienced real estate agent, that should help you in your home search or sale this year:
Don't Make an Offer Without Pre-ApprovalKnow what you can afford. This all starts with a pre-approval, meaning a lender has vetted your credit and financials and is willing to continue with the mortgage process. A pre-approval letter will tell the real estate agent and home seller how much you can afford in a home and the confidence that you are able to follow through on the purchase.
Use a Real Estate AgentAs this is the biggest purchase you will likely ever make, you'll want to have someone on your side who has been there before. As your trusted, experienc ...